The Ever King by LJ Andrews ~ a Review

by MK French

Erik was the king of the Ever Kingdom, trapped beneath the waves and a prisoner in his own realm. When his enemy's daughter accidentally broke the enchantment, he seized her for revenge. He plans to take back what was stolen from him, but she might steal his heart.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

August 2025; Ace; 978-0593955024
audio, ebook, print (480 pages); fantasy

Inspired by Viking history and lore, this fantasy novel deals with warring clans of fae. The earth clans banded together against the sea fae and used their magic along with Erik's blood to create a barrier he can't cross. Livia has a mark on her arm from the Ever itself, which led to her touch weakening that barrier. Erik Bloodsinger is the King of Ever and acts like a pirate. Taking Livia is at once revenge against the earth fae and fulfilling a promise he made as an imprisoned child. The captive/captor dynamic keeps the two in close proximity and challenges the beliefs Livia had grown up with. The attraction between them is present and grows over the course of the novel. 

We see that there's more to Erik than the savage reputation he cultivated. This helps to see what Livia sees in him, other than aesthetic, when she's been kidnapped and threatened. The land of Ever has a curse on it, leading to poor harvests and starvation for Erik's people. We see the true concern he has for them, his crew, and the future of his kingdom, as well as the misbeliefs he had growing up. Livia sees for herself what kind of person he is, and discovers what she's capable of. There are challenges to the pair, as well as a cliffhanger ending, since this is the first book in a trilogy. I really hate that kind of ending, but some people might have a higher tolerance for it than I do. 

Buy The Ever King at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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